Chips and Salsa...

 At Valley Church this Sunday Brett did a sermon based around the Prodigal Son.  Here's the cliffs notes version if you aren't familiar with this story.  A father has two sons, one asks for his inheritance early so that he can leave his home.  The father grants his wish and gives him his money.  The son leaves, squanders all his inheritance on lustful things and possessions.  It doesn't take long but he is broke and desolate in a foreign land and has no choice but to be enslaved by another man.  Starved and coming to his senses he decides to return home, ashamed of what he had done.  His father welcomes him home with arms wide open and love in his heart.  The son is ashamed and only wants to be a slave for his father, the father says "No you are my Son."  A big celebration is prepared for his return.  Now the second son hears the commotion and is told that his brother has returned home and come celebrate this.  The second son become angry and refuses to enter the home.  The Father then approaches him and asks why.  The son replies that he has slaved to do everything his father ever asked of him and never strayed from him.  Why celebrate the return of a son who left, took everything, squandered it, and shows back up one day.  The father says he is my son regardless.  The son who left wanted to come home to be a slave and the other son who stayed felt like he was a slave.  This is a quick version of this story.  What this story means to me is that no matter what you do, turning your back on God The Father, squandering all on worldly things that mean nothing, God is there waiting for you to return to Him.  He will be there with arms wide open ready to give you a Bear Hug only God can give and tell you that he loves you.  The Father will never give up on you, even if you lost your Faith in Him.  There was a time in my life when I did exactly this.  I walked away from God, turned my back and felt that I was his personal punching bag.  I told Amy that I felt cursed and that I will forever be punished for all that I have done.  The amazing part is that even though all this happened God put me on a path that led me to Amy.  She showed me a way that I had forgotten about.  God changed my life through her and now I want to to the same for anyone who will listen or read.  Amy said last night that she felt that I was the perfect example of The Prodigal Son.  I told her that I am trying, but still find myself falling short.  I understand that God doesn't expect perfection, and I'm far from that.  God still loves me and is proud of me.  He loves all of us, so remember this when you feel like you fall short.  Now to close this out do you think there will be Chips and Salsa at your celebration with God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit in Heaven???  I hope so...